Mark Fish Sends Key Advice to Orlando Pirates' New Recruit Sebastian Pedersen

Former Orlando Pirates defender Mark Fish has advised new recruit Sebastian Pedersen to devote his time to learning the country’s footballing culture. 

Fish believes that SA football is on the map courtesy of Bafana Bafana’s historic 2026 FIFA World Cup as players from around the world line up to play in the Betway Premiership.

Soccer in the 90s

Fish, having won the domestic league and the CAF Champions League during his time with Orlando Pirates, went to play for Lazio in Serie A, a league which was unmatched in the 90s.

Reflecting back on his move to Europe, Fish highlighted that SA football was not as professional as it currently is, and that he had to adapt to a professional space once he arrived in Italy for his European debut.

“We’re talking about the 90s. When I left Pirates, we were semi-professional. We were training twice a week and playing on the weekend. And when I went to Italy, I was training twice a day up until Thursday, and then one Friday, one Saturday and play on a Sunday. So the step up for me was obviously the amount of football and the professionalism,” Fish told SportsBoom.co.za in an exclusive interview.

“I just remember that going from South Africa at the time, I went to the Serie A, which was the best league in the world. I think the most important thing was to adapt to the culture of Italian football and the mindset.”

Having made the switch to Europe during his playing days, Fish has advised Pirates’ new signing Pedersen to learn the culture of South African football.

“With the Norwegian (Pedersen) coming from his club team, I would advise him to adapt to the culture of South African football. Yes, it's obviously changed since my time. So they are training probably every single day." 

“I think the culture of football is probably what he needs to adapt to. As a striker, we all know when you get that chance you want to score as early as possible." 

“That will bring you confidence as a player. But I think the most important thing is adapting to the culture of South African football. It's even more important to adapt to the culture of Orlando Pirates.”

The New Era

South African football has come a long way. 

The country hosted the continent’s first and only FIFA World Cup 16 years ago, a feat that has played an important role, including developing the infrastructure.

Now, South African footballers are playing abroad more often, with the recently crowned PSL Player of the Season, Relebohile Mofokeng’s move to Belgium being the latest addition to the overseas players’ list.

Pedersen’s signing also marks a continuation of players from abroad signing with South African teams seeking better opportunities for career growth.

Fish has acknowledged the growth of the sport in the country.

“(SA football is now) attracting players to come play at one of the best leagues on the African continent. We're seeing the likes of Sundowns getting players from Brazil. (Overseas) players are also acknowledging the South African league, and are not necessarily exclusively going to Al-Ahly or one of the North African teams,” Fish added. 

“Why not come to South Africa? Because the quality of the league is very professional. It's an opportunity. Financially, the teams are able to compete." 

“What are they earning in the second division in Norway? I would assume it's pretty similar to what he's (going to) earn (at Pirates). This will be interesting to see how he performs. Again, if he performs well, then we will see more of these players coming to the South African league. I think that is a good thing." 

“It can only be good for the South African league, for the Betway Premiership, and it can only be good for the continent, because now we even see more of South African coaches going into the continent.”

Fish believes that the success of Mamelodi Sundowns on the African continent and Bafana Bafana’s recent historic 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign played an important hand in the development of the sport in the country.

The former Africa Cup of Nations Winner with Bafana Bafana believes that the young footballers in the country will benefit a lot from the added attention from the world that the sport is now enjoying.

“We've got to touch on Sundowns winning the African Champions League. Also, our national team qualifying for the World Cup has brought the world's eyes. So, you're going to be having players that are moving to Europe, but also our South African players and South African football is in the world's focus again,” he said.  

“The world has its eyes on South African football, which is unbelievable. You're having players that want to come, and players are moving abroad again." 

“It’s exciting for up-and-coming young players. To see what is happening again and what these players achieved by taking us to the World Cup again, I think this is opening doors. In the context of South African football, it's exciting times.”

Fish previously told SportsBoom that emerging centre-back duo Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Ime Okon represent the future of South African football, backing both defenders to develop into stars capable of playing in Europe's top leagues.

26/27 Season - Pirates

Fish won the league with Pirates in 94 and went on to win the club’s first and only CAF Champions League title. 

The 52-year-old has reminded the current crop of Pirates players that the other teams will come hard at them this season as they look to defend the league title.

“We won the league. I think it was very important for the chairman to win the league at the time because it was the new democratic South Africa. He really wanted to win the league,” he said.

“And then we went on to the African Champions League. So, I think for this squad of players, again, the most important thing is to be competitive. Yes, as Pirates fans we want them to retain the league." 

“We're going to have one or two other teams, I'm sure, competing as well. But again, it's the players that they sign and the focus of the club and the squad how we compete." 

“I know the chairman is a big fan of African football and of Africa. He loves seeing the team competing there. I'm sure they would love to get a second star so that we can stay in line with Mamelodi Sundowns," he concluded.